The recent post by Plazebo on the seat mod inspired me to work on an idea that I have been pondering for quite some time.
I am tall & have found the seat back to be uncomfortably short at times.
I picked up an old backpack & frame at a school fundraiser ($5) several months ago & with a little mucking about managed to figure out a way to mount it.
alt="Backpack frame"
Got my wife to show me how to use the sewing machine.
The first mesh I used was some "pet proof" screen door mesh I had laying around; it lasted 2 rides before tearing. I found some much heavier mesh at the fabric store in the apolstry section. Much stronger. ($11)
The weight of the new back (Frame + supports + mesh, rods & lacing) = 1005 grams
The weight of the original (back + supports + pad) = 890 grams.
So about 115 grams (4 ounces) heavier.
alt="Side"
The new seat back is currently more reclined than the original. No hard numbers but I percieve less wind resistance. (possibly faster?)
Unfortunately it has also changed my balance & I wobbled like a rookie when starting for the first while.
alt="front"
It also made the handle bars a little too far away so now I am expeimenting with new bar configuration. The bars are still a work in progress.
alt="back"
The seat back is taller & it is a bit harder to swing my leg over the back to mount & dismount the bike & now I usually "step through" to get on & off.
I shimmed the front of the seat pan up a little to counter the shallower seat back angle, I might need to shim a bit more yet.
The new back has more ventalation, lumbar support feels adequate, nice upper back support.
The starting wobbles are getting better, I think it is a keeper.
Now I just have to figure out a head rest.
I am tall & have found the seat back to be uncomfortably short at times.
I picked up an old backpack & frame at a school fundraiser ($5) several months ago & with a little mucking about managed to figure out a way to mount it.
alt="Backpack frame"
Got my wife to show me how to use the sewing machine.
The first mesh I used was some "pet proof" screen door mesh I had laying around; it lasted 2 rides before tearing. I found some much heavier mesh at the fabric store in the apolstry section. Much stronger. ($11)
The weight of the new back (Frame + supports + mesh, rods & lacing) = 1005 grams
The weight of the original (back + supports + pad) = 890 grams.
So about 115 grams (4 ounces) heavier.
alt="Side"
The new seat back is currently more reclined than the original. No hard numbers but I percieve less wind resistance. (possibly faster?)
Unfortunately it has also changed my balance & I wobbled like a rookie when starting for the first while.
alt="front"
It also made the handle bars a little too far away so now I am expeimenting with new bar configuration. The bars are still a work in progress.
alt="back"
The seat back is taller & it is a bit harder to swing my leg over the back to mount & dismount the bike & now I usually "step through" to get on & off.
I shimmed the front of the seat pan up a little to counter the shallower seat back angle, I might need to shim a bit more yet.
The new back has more ventalation, lumbar support feels adequate, nice upper back support.
The starting wobbles are getting better, I think it is a keeper.
Now I just have to figure out a head rest.
